Daily Readings - Sat Apr 07 2018
Acts
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.14But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.15But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,16saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.17But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name."18So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.19But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,20for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."21And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
Mark
9[[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.10She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.12After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.13And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.14Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.15And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the courage and conviction of the early followers of Christ, as well as the transformative power of the Gospel. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, after being arrested for healing a man and preaching about Jesus. Despite the threats and intimidation, they boldly declare that they cannot stop speaking about what they have seen and heard. Their unwavering commitment to sharing the Good News, even in the face of persecution, is a testament to the power of faith and the Holy Spirit working through them.
In the Gospel, Mark describes the events following Jesus' resurrection. Mary Magdalene, a witness to the empty tomb, is met with disbelief by the disciples when she shares the news. Later, Jesus appears to two disciples on the road and finally to the eleven apostles, rebuking them for their hardness of heart and unbelief. Yet, despite their initial doubt, Jesus commissions them to "go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature." This passage reminds us that even in our moments of doubt or fear, God calls us to trust in His power and to share the message of salvation with others.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and how we live it out in our daily lives. Like Peter and John, we are called to be bold witnesses to the Gospel, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. Like the disciples, we may struggle with doubt or fear, but Jesus still calls us to trust in Him and to share His love with the world. Let us ask for the courage to speak the truth with confidence, the humility to overcome our doubts, and the grace to fulfill our mission as disciples of Christ.